i always start at the 1/4" point- that way if i have to do any trimming at any point i'm not going to clip my hand stitches.
i love hand piecing- the precision is great- things just seem to go together so much better than when machine piecing. but i do my prep work- meaning i draw diagonal lines- put dots at 1/4" spots- what ever is needed the little bit of extra time spent on prep saves me tons of time as i go along- and the precision is great.

That's a very helpful site. I'm trying to get myself motivated to try to hand quilt a quilt. The last time I tried it, I had an awful time, but I think my batting was too stiff. Something softer next time. The first quilt I hand-pieced, I started and stopped 1/4" from each end. It went together so well, and was the most perfect piecing I've ever done.

I prefer to hand piece. I can fit the pieces more accurately. I just finished piecing a basket quilt by machine and I had the hardest time being accurate. My daughter bought me a Brother sewing machine so I thought I would piece this quilt. I couldn't get my seams aligned and did more ripping out than ever. I made lots of quilts by hand piecing and never had any trouble. My best was a Sunbonnet Sue quilt for my granddaughter.

For hand piecing, I start and end 1/4" from the edge. I backstitch at each edge, but do not cut the thread before moving on to the next piece; I just backstitch to secure the next edge and keep going. Works great!

I'll have to check out Jinny Beyer's website. I learned how to hand piece by watching one of her videos years ago (borrowed from the library). Before that, I didn't have a clue......

When you hand piece two squares together do you sew all the way across from edge to edge or do you start sewing 1/4" in from the right edge and stop 1/4" before the left edge? And, if so, why?

I start 1/4" in and end 1/4" from the end.

Makes matching junctions a breeze when I can flip the seam allowances whichever way makes sense on the spot. When it comes time for the final pressing, it lets me iron them down in whatever way creates the least amount of bulk.

I reinforce the beginning, the ending and any matching seams with a back stitch.